Sarah Palin became the target for a tirade by the comedian and political commentator Bill Maher during his HBO show last Friday night.

The former vice-presidential candidate was mocked by Bill Maher in his skit, which has since been heavily criticized and described as vulgar.

In reference to the devastating earthquake and tsunami, Maher said: "Did you hear this - Sarah Palin finally heard what happened in Japan and she's demanding that we invade Tsunami. I mean she said, these Tsunamians will not get away with this. Oh speaking of dumb tw**s."

Palin had made no statement on the matter.

Responding to the comments, Terry Dougherty of Women Magazine accused the comedian of “misogyny”, she added: "Maher's choice of words shows an enormous lack of respect for women.
If his preceding joke had been about a man, I can't imagine him using an equally derogatory term to describe a male. That type of language shows a lack of consideration toward women".

On a recent trip to Israel, Palin met with the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While on the trip she told the Indian Today Conclave in New Delhi that "it's time for a woman to be President", fueling the expectation that she will soon announce her candidacy for the 2012 Republican nomination for President.